I've gotten orders to change station to Whidbey Island, Washington from Pensacola, FL. So for the third time in the last 3 years, Rex and I are headed cross-country (his mileage is beginning to get up there). I did the last one this time last year, kept my summer tires on, and shot straight south to Palm Springs before cutting east.

I've done this route twice, and I'm feeling like I'm missing out on a bunch of cool stuff just to dodge snow. So I'm thinking about throwing the winters on, having my movers pack the summers, and doing a little more northerly course this time. Haven't decided where yet. But I wanted to pose a couple of questions to the peanut gallery.

The first is posed to my fellow rotorheads out West. Where would you NOT take your 8 on a XC trip this time of year? I've got plenty of experience driving in snow; I've taken my 8 up Hurricane Ridge in the Olympics and skiing at Stevens Pass and Baker; I know he can handle it with snow tires, keeping the revs low, and me generally not being a moron. But I also know that there are some roads, even major highways, up in the mountains that you just DO NOT screw around with without chains. So before I back myself into a corner, just how far north is too far from those who live there? I'm at least considering taking I-40 through Albuquerque and Flagstaff, thence to CA and up I-5. I figure Utah, Colorado, Montana, and attacking the Cascade passes from the East is probably stupid to say the least. I probably have about 12 days to get there, so getting stuck is really not an option.

The second is a question about winter tires in general. Or more specifically, their wear characteristics. How warm does it have to get before they really start to wear? I'm already probably going to have to replace my summers soon after arrival; I'd prefer not to eat two sets of tires because I wore my snow tires out on the trip up. If I get through a snowy area and then end up traipsing through wine country on the way up, am I going to burn up a good bit of tread life? Or would 1000 miles one way or the other not really matter in the scheme of things?

Thanks for the help; it's been awhile since I posted.

 

Having never driven that XC that far, I am definitely not an expert. I did a quick Google maps and the fastest route using major Interstates is 2975 miles. I adjusted to take you through the Southwest and California and it only went up to 3290 miles.

I'd take this route for a couple reasons:

1. Summer tires all the way
2. You mentioned wine - what better way to take the scenic route through California? All the major wine growing areas are all in a line along the California coast: Santa Barbara, Paso Robles (San Luis Obispo County), Monterey/Carmel, Sonoma/Napa.

My route once you go to LA would be I10 to highway 101, take 101 to Santa Barbara, 101 to Paso Robles, short connector highway to highway 1 (incredible if you haven't taken it) to the Monterey Peninsula and then stop in wineries in Carmel Valley, highway 1/17 to San Jose or 101 to San Jose where you can choose to go Napa via SF or east side of the Bay. Stop in Napa/Sonoma then 80 east to connector to I5 and up to Washington. You don't have to do all of these places, but they are among the prettiest in California and the wine is spectacular.

However if you do choose the shorter route, personally I wouldn't be too worried. Highway crews are usually pretty good at trying to keep the interstates clear of snow. And you could change your route as you go if you need to.

 

Watch out for I-80 between Reno and Sacramento. That route is over the Sierra mountains, including through Donner Pass. Things can be ok and then all of a sudden, chains are required. This area is passable, but you need to plan ahead by getting weather forecasts and road condition reports. If you decide to go this route, have winter tires installed and tire chains in your trunk. In fact, I believe vehicles are not allowed on this route at this time of the year unless they have chains on board.
-dave

 

Well usually you can check a weather report and figure out if chains might be needed. You make it seem driving this interstate is akin to the Donner Party. I am very sure you don't need to carry chains in the car to drive this freeway during non-chain required times. The only time they check is if gets to a point where authorities require chains. They will set up check points to make sure you have a AWD vehicle or chains.

We took 80 during this summer over through Reno and the pavement is HORRIBLE. The worst I have probably experienced driving in California recently. It is battered and bruised and they are working on the roads so it's a mess.

 

Noted. Yeah, the first time through, I went from Lemoore southwest to Morro Bay and basically took 1 to 101 all the way up and around the Olympic peninsula. Highway 1 was made for 8s.

Next time, came back down 101 and thence through Napa and Sonoma to Merced and Palm Springs, then Tuscon, Tombstone, and San Antonio.

 

Yeah Highway 1 is spectacular for driving and scenery.

So any particular preferences this time around? Are you leaning toward any particular route? Have you been to the wine areas outside of Napa/Sonoma?

 

Nope. I've got to be up there in about 12 days or so, so not much time to dally. I'm mainly looking into whether the Grand Canyon would be feasible. Last year, Flagstaff got two feet of snow. Weather dependent, I'm sure. But I'm probably going to do some variant of traipsing through CA and then straight up I-5. I've done the coast twice and need to see the interior.

 

I've never been to the Grand Canyon, but have researched it. North Rim is closed in the winter, but South Rim is open. How about a quick stop in Yosemite as you go up California. Yosemite in the winter is supposed to beautiful without the crowds.

 

Whidbey Island area = great flying...especially when you get to go low and slow and see the Whales migrating.